John Patrick Elected Texas AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer

Feb. 5, 2010
News Release

Contacts: John Patrick,
Becky Moeller or Ed Sills,
(512)477-6195


Steelworker Named to Key Texas AFL-CIO Post

The Texas AFL-CIO Executive Board has elected John Patrick of the United Steelworkers (USW) as secretary-treasurer, the second highest officer position in the state federation.

Patrick, the USW Assistant to the Director in the union’s national District 13, succeeds Paul Brown, who resigned effective Jan. 31. The remainder of Patrick’s term runs until the Texas AFL-CIO Constitutional Convention in July 2011. Under the Texas AFL-CIO Constitution, mid-term vacancies in a top state federation office are filled by the Executive Board.

Patrick has worked in the labor movement since 1972, beginning as a member of the International Association of Machinists. As a USW leader, he has been part of a union that expanded its membership base and continued its high level of worker advocacy even as the steel industry contracted. In addition to his union career, Patrick is an active Democrat who has served on the Democratic National Committee since 2004.

“John Patrick brings a thorough working knowledge of workplace issues and an activist’s heart to the job of secretary-treasurer,” Texas AFL-CIO President Becky Moeller said. “I look forward to working with him to promote the cause of working families in Texas.”

Patrick said, “Being chosen secretary-treasurer of the state federation is a distinct honor and I intend to work proactively to promote better lives for working people in our state.”

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